Chronic pain patients are treated with prescription opioids and many exhibit opioid addiction. Currently, there are no evidence-based guidelines to better manage patients with chronic pain and coexistent opioid addiction. This study compares 6-months buprenorphine and methadone treatment in these patients. The investigators hypothesize that both buprenorphine and methadone treatment will reduce pain and addiction behaviors and increase functioning in these patients.

have a well-documented chronic pain disorder due to past back surgery,

have a chronic back pain syndrome,

have evidence of opioid addiction,

prior attempt at abstinence-oriented treatment documented by the referring physician,

be able to understand spoken and written English,

reside in Erie or Niagara counties,

have health insurance or other ability to pay for treatment with the approval from patient's primary physician;

have no prior history of methadone or BUP/NLX maintenance treatment since the last surgery,

not be a member of a vulnerable population, including prisoners

Exclusion Criteria:

homeless, or any patient without a "locator" (no means to participate in the follow-up data collection interviews by phone),

inability to give consent,

those with major co-occurring psychiatric disorders,

EKG showing prolonged QT and/or previous cardiac issues,

are taking a medication that is contraindicated with methadone,

medically unstable,

urine positive for cocaine at initial visit,

pregnant women

Contacts and Locations

Choosing to participate in a study is an important personal decision. Talk with your doctor and family members or friends about deciding to join a study.
To learn more about this study, you or your doctor may contact the study research staff using the Contacts provided below.
For general information, see Learn About Clinical Studies.

Please refer to this study by its ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT01559454